Game notes
- Time and date: Saturday, October 18 at 12:00 p.m. ET
- Network: ESPN+
- Location: InfoCision Stadium — Akron, OH
- Spread: Miami (OH) (-13.5)
- Over/under: 47.5
- All-time series: Miami (OH) leads, 20-6
- Last meeting: Miami (OH) 38, Eastern Michigan 14 — October 12, 2024
- Current streak: Miami (OH), 1 (2024)
Setting the scene
Two of the MAC’s birds flock to Oxford, OH. The Miami (OH) RedHawks (3-3, 2-0 MAC) are in the midst of a hot streak, looking to defend its homefield and log a fourth-straight win Saturday. The Eastern
Michigan Eagles (2-5, 1-2 MAC) are off to a disappointing start but earned a much-needed MAC victory last week and hope it serves as a springboard.
It’s a noon ET kickoff between the MAC’s two longest tenured head coaches, as Chuck Martin debuted at Miami and Chris Creighton debuted at Eastern Michigan in the 2014 season — currently in year 12 with their respective programs.
Eastern Michigan Eagles outlook
Eastern Michigan has suffered defensive lapses all year, and the Eagles are currently ranked 136th (last) in run defense, 131st in total defense, and 123rd in scoring defense. The best way to mitigate those recurring issues is to face the nation’s last-ranked scoring offense, and that’s exactly what happened last Saturday.
Eastern Michigan limited a struggling Northern Illinois offense to 10 points in a 16-10 win, and the Huskies’ lone end zone appearance was a 1-play, 80-yard drive. The Eagles defense will face tougher challenges from here on out, and this week, it must counter a Miami offense which is more explosive than it had been in recent years. Eastern Michigan desperately needs pressure at the line of scrimmage and currently has fewer sacks than every other FBS program. Given this lack of pressure and the struggles of the run defense, it’s no surprise the three leading tacklers are all defensive backs. Strong safety Bryce Llewellyn is the name to watch with a team-high 57 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and two interceptions. Llewellyn is responsible for half the team’s takeaways as Eastern Michigan only has four through seven outings.
Offensively, the Eagles are more potent, although facing NIU’s stout defense last week definitely threw a wrench in their system. Still, they survived with a capable passing game and a functional run game. Quarterback Noah Kim is the MAC’s leading passer with 1,483 yards, and he’s delivered eight touchdowns to four interceptions. The Eagles also exhibit the MAC’s leading rusher in Dontae McMillan, who is up to 637 yards on a stellar 6.1 yards per carry. Eastern Michigan already ousted Louisiana in a higher-scoring affair and took Buffalo to overtime in a 31-30 finish, and the 2025 Eagles operate best in shootout form.
In order to bolster the passing game, Eastern Michigan hopes for the return of Terry Lockett Jr. The team’s leading receiver has not suited up since Sept. 27 due to injury. If he is unable to go, tight end Joshua Long rises into status as Kim’s top target. But the Eagles can spread the wealth, and they currently own four of the MAC’s top 15 leaders in receptions.
Another offensive perk the Eagles enjoy is a reliable kicker in Rudy Kessinger. He sunk a game-winner to beat Louisiana and is 14-of-18 on the season, remaining perfect under 40 yards and 5-of-7 in the 40-49 range.
Miami (OH) RedHawks outlook
It’s that time of year again when the Miami RedHawks lock in. You can always throw out slow starts and non-conference struggles, because conference play is Chuck Martin’s true specialty. The RedHawks were victors in 18 of their last 20 MAC regular season matchups and are off to a 2-0 start — handling Northern Illinois and Akron by double-digits.
Miami’s MO is always its defensive play, and the RedHawks shut out both the Huskies and Zips for three-straight quarters in their conference victories. Despite losing a horde of 2024 starters, there’s still All-MAC talent abundant within this unit. Defensive end Adam Trick stepped up as the lead pass rusher on a sack-happy team, and Trick owns 5.5 sacks and 8.0 tackles for loss in his first year as a starter. The safety tandem of Eli Blakey and Silas Walters remains lethal, and the two combine for 82 tackles and 10 pass breakups on the year. Walters also has two interceptions to his name as does coverage specialist outside linebacker Corban Hondru. Miami surrendered just 21 points across its 3-game win streak, nearly producing a shutout last week in Akron.
The RedHawks offense has seen mixed results this year, but they’re fortunate to have starting quarterback Dequan Finn back and healthy after missing 1.5 games earlier in the fall. The former MAC champion at Toledo is a multifaceted playmaker, pushing the ball downfield and keeping defenses honest with his legs. Finn already established an enticing connection with explosive wide receiver Kam Perry. Perry ranks second in the MAC in receiving with 505 yards, yet he only has 17 catches through six games. That’s because his 29.7 receiving average is first in the FBS among players with 10+ receptions, and he’s good for at least one momentum-altering deep shot per game.
Keith Reynolds is another playmaker Finn often frequents to keep the offense moving, and the Washington transfer ranks atop the team with 23 receptions. However, Miami needs to unearth new skill talent as starting running back Kenny Tracy is out for the year. That thrusts Jordan Brunson and D’Shawntae Jones into larger roles as the RedHawks look to establish a run game that hasn’t been all that effective outside of Finn and Tracy.
Prediction
Miami is clicking on all cylinders right now, winning three-consecutive games comfortably behind dominant defenses. The RedHawks still leave more to be desired on offense, especially without Kenny Tracy, but facing Eastern Michigan should solve several issues this Saturday in Oxford.
The Eagles’ versatile offense can inflict more damage than Northern Illinois and Akron did, but it will still be an uphill battle for Noah Kim and the Eagles facing one of the more violent fronts and assertive secondaries the MAC has to often. Make it four-straight wins for Chuck Martin and the RedHawks.
Prediction: Miami (OH) 30, Eastern Michigan 13
